Scotland Women squad reshuffled for England encounter

Mar 8 • General News, International • 1166 Views • Comments Off on Scotland Women squad reshuffled for England encounter

Head Coach Shade Munro has made four changes to the side that overcame Wales for this Saturday’s match against England (11 March, kick-off 1 pm) – delayed coverage on Sky Sports at 8 pm.

Scotland Women travel to Twickenham Stoop for the fourth round of the 2017 Six Nations with two changes to the starting XV and two new faces among the replacements.

Lichfield forward Sarah Bonar is set to make her first start following five caps off the bench in the second-row since her debut against Spain last November

She will shift to the back-row alongside Hillhead Jordanhill teen Louise McMillan, also on five caps. The new pairing will flank Jemma Forsyth, who has been handed the No.8 jersey as Jade Konkel is unavailable due to injury.

The gap on the bench is filled by Murrayfield Wanderers’ Rachael Cook, who is in the BT Sports Scottish Rugby Academy and returns to the squad after earning 10 caps in 2014 and 2015.

Hillhead Jordanhill’s Abi Evans, who has six caps and has been training with the squad during the Championship, will replace wing Lauren Harris on the bench.

Head Coach Shade Munro said: “The win against Wales gave the squad a massive boost of confidence and was reward for all the hard work they’ve put in.

“The players showed great character and composure to get the one-point win. While it was a solid performance in both defence and attack, there are still plenty of aspects we need to refine.

“We are under no illusion how difficult England are going to be given they are top of the table having won all their games in this year’s Championship, but I have every faith our players will rise to the challenge and remain focused on improving our performance.”

The remainder of the squad remains unchanged with Chloe Rollie, who was named a player of the match in the 15-14 win against Wales, starting at full-back.

The backline is completed by Edinburgh University wingers Megan Gaffney and Rhona Lloyd, who scored Scotland’s second-half try against Wales.

Centre Lisa Thomson, who crashed over the whitewash to score just before half-time against Wales, partners in the midfield with captain Lisa Martin.

Half-backs Helen Nelson and Sarah Law return to their posts, following Law’s last-minute penalty to seal Scotland’s first win in the Six Nations since 2010 a fortnight ago at Broadwood.

The experienced front-row of Tracy Balmer, Lana Skeldon and Lindsey Smith are set to start alongside locks Emma Wassell and Deborah McCormack.

On the bench, Lucy Park, Heather Lockhart, Katie Dougan, Lyndsay O’Donnell and Cook provide cover for the forwards. Backs Jenny Maxwell, Eilidh Sinclair and Evans complete the bench.

Scotland Women team to play England Women at Twickenham Stoop
Saturday 11 March (kick-off 1 pm) – delayed on Sky Sports

15. Chloe Rollie* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 15 caps

14. Megan Gaffney (Edinburgh University) – 23 caps
13. Lisa Thomson* (Edinburgh University) – 10 caps
12. Lisa Martin* CAPTAIN (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 35 caps
11. Rhona Lloyd* (Edinburgh University) – 10 caps

10. Helen Nelson* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 7 caps
9. Sarah Law* (Murrayfield Wanderers/Edinburgh University) – 28 caps

1. Tracy Balmer (Worcester) – 41 caps
2. Lana Skeldon (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 19 caps
3. Lindsey Smith (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 35 caps
4. Emma Wassell* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 21 caps
5. Deborah McCormack (Aylesford Bulls) – 21 caps
6. Sarah Bonar (Lichfield) – 5 caps
7. Louise McMillan* (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 5 caps
8. Jemma Forsyth (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 19 caps

Replacements
16. Lucy Park* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 3 caps
17. Heather Lockhart (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 87 caps
18. Katie Dougan (Edinburgh University) – 7 caps
19. Rachael Cook* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 10 caps
20. Lyndsay O’Donnell (Worcester) – 12 caps
21. Jenny Maxwell (Lichfield) – 13 caps
22. Eilidh Sinclair* (Murrayfield Wanderers) – 14 caps
23. Abi Evans (Hillhead Jordanhill) – 6 caps

* BT Sports Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 2 player 2016/17

Scotland Women 2017 Six Nations Fixtures
Friday 3 February | Scotland Women 15 – 22 Ireland Women, Broadwood Stadium
Saturday 11 February | France Women 55 – 0 Scotland Women, Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle
Friday 24 February | Scotland Women 15 – 14 Wales Women, Broadwood Stadium
Saturday 11 March | England Women v Scotland Women, Twickenham Stoop (kick-off 1 pm)
Friday 17 March | Scotland Women v Italy Women, Broadwood Stadium (kick-off 6.30pm)